Willy DeVille (born William Paul Borsey Jr. in Stamford, Connecticut, on Au… Read Full Bio ↴Willy DeVille (born William Paul Borsey Jr. in Stamford, Connecticut, on August 25, 1950; died in New York City on August 6, 2009) was an American singer and songwriter of Basque, Pequot, and Irish descent. During his thirty-five year career, first with his band Mink DeVille (1974–1986) and later on his own, Deville created original songs rooted in various American musical styles. He worked with collaborators from across the spectrum of contemporary music, including Jack Nitzsche, Doc Pomus, Dr. John, Mark Knopfler, Allen Toussaint, and Eddie Bo. A wide range of styles, including latin rhythms, blues riffs, doo-wop, Cajun music, strains of French cabaret, and echoes of early-1960s uptown soul, can be heard in DeVille's work.

As a teenager, DeVille had a band named Billy and the Kids. He moved to London looking to form a band, but was unsuccessful in finding like-minded musicians. Eventually he landed in San Francisco where he formed a band with bassist Ruben Siguenza and drummer Tom "Manfred" Allen. The band played under the names Billy DeSade & the Marquis and the Lazy Eights before settling on the name Mink DeVille. Later, DeVille took the band to New York City, where they helped to pioneer punk rock music and were one of the original house bands at CBGB, the New York nighclub where punk rock music was born in the mid-1970s.

The typical DeVille song -- if any of his songs can be called "typical" -- is filled with romantic conviction and yearning. Latin rhythms, Blues riffs, and strains of country music can be heard in DeVille songs. Spanish Stroll was a hit in the U.S. and the UK in 1978; Storybook Love (nominated for an Academy Award in 1987) is the theme song of the movie The Princess Bride.

DeVille suffered from drug addiction for many years, which stifled his career. Among fellow musicians and songwriters, he was widely respected. Songwriter Doc Pomus said about Deville, "He knows the truth of a city street and the courage in a ghetto love song."

DeVille died of pancreatic cancer during the night of August 6, 2009 in a New York hospital.

DeVille had homes in New Orleans and Mississippi.

Spanish Jack
Willy DeVille Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Spanish Jack had a Cadillac that he always parked around the corner
He wore his hat tipped to the side like a pimp on Easter morning
I was on the street that Saturday night when they all claim they saw him
In his cowboy shoes and shantung suit and the night was young in August.

His lady's name was Sunny Day, she had Jack tattooed on her shoulder
Jack played cards with Gentleman Jim and Sunny did everything Jack told her
Gentleman Jim won Jack's watch and chain in a badly dealt game of poker

Then Sunny Day kind of moved away as the last hand hit the table.

Jack he had a pair of nines and Gentleman showed three aces
You took my watch and chain and now my gold tipped cane, put both your hands up on the table
We can settle this thing in a gentleman's way, let's just step outside the doorway
The night was warm and they looked at the stars but only one will see the morning.

There's nothing lower than a cheat at cards, especially at poker
Before the Gentleman he could cheat again, the Spaniard pulled out his revolver
Spanish Jack shot Gentleman dead and the shouts sounded loud as thunder
And when the smoke it cleared Gentleman Jim lay dead, this was his last game of poker.

Jack filled Jim with so much lead, it took six men too move him over
So full of lead and oozing red, they stole the boots right off his body

If you're gonna play a game of cards, be sure with who you're gambling
This game of chance you could never win if Spanish Jack is at the table.

Overall Meaning

The song "Spanish Jack" by Willy DeVille tells the story of a man named Spanish Jack and his ultimate downfall due to excessive gambling and cheating. The lyrics evoke imagery of a seedy underworld of dark alleyways and backroom deals. Spanish Jack is portrayed as a flamboyant and stylish character, with his Cadillac parked just around the corner and his hat tipped to the side like a pimp on Easter morning. He is accompanied by his lady, Sunny Day, who is devoted to him and has his name tattooed on her shoulder.

The song takes a turn when Spanish Jack and his card-playing partner, Gentleman Jim, have a disagreement over a badly dealt hand of poker. Spanish Jack ultimately kills Gentleman Jim in a duel, which results in his own demise as he is also killed. The story is a cautionary tale of the dangers of gambling and cheating, as ultimately it can lead to destruction.

Line by Line Meaning

Spanish Jack had a Cadillac that he always parked around the corner
Spanish Jack, a well-known individual, owned a Cadillac that he often parked near his residence.

He wore his hat tipped to the side like a pimp on Easter morning
Jack sported a specific style of wearing his hat, notably crooked, much like a pimp on Easter Sunday.

I was on the street that Saturday night when they all claim they saw him
The singer was present on a certain street on a Saturday evening that Jack was sighted by many individuals.

In his cowboy shoes and shantung suit and the night was young in August.
On the same night, Jack was dressed in cowboy shoes along with a shantung suit in the month of August, with the night being young.

His lady's name was Sunny Day, she had Jack tattooed on her shoulder
Jack's significant other was named Sunny Day, and she had a tattoo of Jack on her shoulder.

Jack played cards with Gentleman Jim and Sunny did everything Jack told her
Jack, along with Gentleman Jim, was known for playing card games, and Sunny followed Jack's every command.

Gentleman Jim won Jack's watch and chain in a badly dealt game of poker
In a poorly shuffled game of cards, Gentleman Jim won both Jack's watch and chain.

Then Sunny Day kind of moved away as the last hand hit the table.
At the end of the card game, Sunny Day seemed to distance herself from the situation.

Jack he had a pair of nines and Gentleman showed three aces
In the final hand of the game, Jack held a pair of nines, while Gentleman Jim showcased three aces.

You took my watch and chain and now my gold tipped cane, put both your hands up on the table
Frustrated with his losses, Jack demanded that Gentleman Jim put both of his hands on the table and return his watch, chain, and other possessions.

We can settle this thing in a gentleman's way, let's just step outside the doorway
Offering to resolve their dispute peacefully, Jack suggested that they discuss the issue outside.

The night was warm and they looked at the stars but only one will see the morning.
Despite the warm weather and stargazing, only one of them would make it through the altercation alive.

There's nothing lower than a cheat at cards, especially at poker
Cheating at card games, such as poker, is the lowest action that one can take in such a situation.

Before the Gentleman he could cheat again, the Spaniard pulled out his revolver
Prior to the start of a new game, Spanish Jack pulled out his gun to prevent Gentleman Jim from cheating again.

Spanish Jack shot Gentleman dead and the shouts sounded loud as thunder
In a violent moment, Spanish Jack shot and killed Gentleman Jim, leading to loud, tumultuous sounds.

And when the smoke it cleared Gentleman Jim lay dead, this was his last game of poker.
After the commotion settled, it was revealed that Gentleman Jim had died, and it would be his last time playing poker.

Jack filled Jim with so much lead, it took six men too move him over
Jack had shot Gentleman Jim with so much force that it required six men to move him.

So full of lead and oozing red, they stole the boots right off his body
Due to the severity of his wounds, Gentleman Jim was filled with lead and blood, and his boots were even taken from him.

If you're gonna play a game of cards, be sure with who you're gambling
If you intend to engage in a card game, it is important to be certain about whom you are playing with.

This game of chance you could never win if Spanish Jack is at the table.
If Spanish Jack is participating in the game, your chances of winning become slim due to the possibility of violence and cheating.

Contributed by Chloe D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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